Board's Interest Prompted Application For Manager's Job

Opinion My Word

April 23, 1989|By James C. Watkins

THERE APPEAR to be several misconceptions that deserve clarification concerning my qualifications and interest in the Lake County manager's position.

Only after some members of the county commission indicated an interest in my considering the position did I resign from the county manager search committee. Later, at the request of Commissioner Mike Bakich, I submitted my resume for consideration.

My interest was not because I am dissatisfied with being clerk of the court - quite the contrary. In fact, it is in part because of the knowledge gained while serving as clerk that I came to the belief that during the next 10 years, some of the most important decisions concerning Lake County's future will be made.

While serving as a member of the planning staff in Memphis and Shelby County, Tenn., and later in San Diego, I witnessed explosive growth. I know what good planning and management can mean to an area.

Likewise, having served Lake County as the appointed planning and zoning director from 1968 through 1972, as well as the elected clerk who prepared the county budgets from 1973 to 1989, I know Lake County, its history, its citizens, its opportunities and its financial limitations.

I have said all along that I would be willing to consider the county manager position permanently only under the right circumstances. Those circumstances include a majority of the commission recognizing my qualifications and being supportive of my assuming those duties.

At the beginning, however, as stated in my letter to the board of Jan. 23, I recommended and still endorse a national search for Lake County's new manager. Because the committee received more than 150 applications nationwide, it is offensive to me that some have suggested the presence of my resume has discouraged candidates from applying.

The office of the clerk of circuit court has been very good to me for the past 16 years. I believe to the credit of myself and the clerk's staff, I am considered a good governmental manager. In 1985, I was recognized as the national Clerk of the Year. During the past five months of performing the duties of county manager, I have not allowed the office of the clerk to suffer. I resent any implication that I have not continued to act as clerk, because that is untrue.

During my tenure as acting county manager, some of the most difficult issues to face the county commission have been met and handled very professionally.

Let me emphasize that I am proud to to be Lake County's clerk and intend to seek re-election for that office in 1992 unless some extraordinary opportunity comes to me where I feel my talents can better serve the people of Lake County.

It is my hope that the additional duties I have been assigned by the county commission in managing the daily affairs of the county will be positively viewed and have a lasting positive effect for many years to come.